The University of Scranton field hockey team earned a 3-2 Senior Day victory over Catholic University on Saturday afternoon at Weiss Field in Scranton.
The Basics
- Final Score: Scranton 3, Catholic 2
- Records: Scranton (14-2, 8-0 Landmark); Catholic (8-8, 6-2 Landmark)
- With the win, the Royals have locked up the No. 1 seed in the Landmark Conference Playoffs.
How it Happened
- Scranton struck first on Senior Day as two seniors connected for the game's opening goal. On a penalty corner, Maddie Slavin sent the insertion to Maggie Keys, who fired a shot into the back of the cage for her 13th goal of the season just 5:14 into the contest.
- Just 3:05 later, the Royals struck again. On another penalty corner, Slavin inserted the ball to Keys, whose shot was denied, but Slavin collected the rebound and found the back of the cage to give Scranton a 2-0 lead.
- With less than four minutes remaining in the opening period, another pair of seniors helped the Royals extend their advantage. After Ava De Natale was fouled on a breakaway chance in the circle and awarded a penalty stroke, Kate McKillop stepped up and drilled a shot into the bottom-left corner of the cage to make it 3-0.
- Catholic's offense found its rhythm in the second period, earning four penalty corners in the frame. On its third corner opportunity, the Cardinals broke through to cut the deficit to 3-1.
- Scranton generated four penalty corners and seven shots in the third period, but Catholic's defense held firm to keep the Royals' lead at two. The Cardinals managed two shots in the frame, with the first being blocked and the second turned away by Ruby Sorber.
- Catholic controlled possession for much of the fourth quarter, continuing to pressure the Royals despite the two-goal deficit. The Cardinals converted a penalty corner with just 43 seconds remaining to pull within one.
- After Catholic's goal, Ava Matthias and Keys maintained possession in Scranton's defensive end during the final seconds, keeping the ball away from Catholic as the Royals secured the 3-2 victory.
Top Performers
- Slavin recorded three points on one goal and one assist.
- Keys scored a goal.
- McKillop recorded her second career goal.
Inside the Box Score
- Each team recorded 15 shots each, while Scranton held a 10-5 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Cardinals held the 10-8 edge in penalty corner attempts.
